Wishing you and yours a happy, safe and RV-filled weekend.
V/r,dr
Another extended weekend trip Update
…SuperCubDriver
Meanwhile I made it to Wick/Scotland. Greenland was breathtaking as ever. Easy approach into Narsarsuaq and the weather looked good for the next two days. I thought about two options: Flying directly to Reykjavik or stop in Kulusuk. Because I like it in Kulusuk but ever since I flew over Bluie East 2 back in 2022 I was thinking about landing there. I got an ok and weather looked good but a hotel room was only available for one night. Ok, still doable but the weather must cooperate which actually did. No fog next morning, clear and calm. So flew over to this old airbase, looped, rolled and checked the runway from above. A low and slow flyover next, saw rough gravel with a few rocks but nothing too bad. Decided to do a touch and go first with partial flaps and a little power - easy it was. Next pattern will be with a landing. No problem but taxiing required quite some power, the soil below the gravel was a little soft and so the wheels dragged while taxiing. I do have larger tires than standard but with the regular ones it shouldn´t be a problem either. Of course there might always be a spot softer or with rocks so a little extra risk is involved.
Standing there and nothing is to hear, same like in Narsarsuaq or Kulusuk, no background noise, complete quieteness. Then there are this rusty leftovers from the war, lots of rusty fuel drums, a collapsed hangar, trucks and other equipment. If anyone is looking for original spare parts like oil pans or drive shafts for their toys it can be found here. I walked around and enjoyed the scenery and was in contact with Kulusuk tower via my satellite tracker texting all is ok. When I returned to Kulusuk turnaround was less than an hour. Refueled, filed a flight plan to Reykjavik and airborne again. Nice weather there in the evening, cloudy this morning. I made the last ocean crossing and landed in Wick this afternoon. The forecast was not that good and I was looking into options. Each airport required PPR, handling, advance notice and whatnot - annoying. Filed to Wick anyway with alternates. The FBO there - Far North Aviation - is outstanding, they are holding what others are only promising.
RE Ball-park estimate for paint job? …diene
I have painted all 4 of my homebuilts. I generally agree that a good paint job is a big, very detailed job requiring good professional tools and deals with dangerous expensive chemicals.
I started with the BD4 in 1980 in Imron followed the One Design and RV8 in DuPont and recently, the RV12 in Akzo Nobel. I used a Sata spray gun and an 80 gal compressor. I painted outdoors on good weather days, generally in the morning. Following the paint manufacturer’s recommendations is critical for good results and longevity.
The supporting materials are important and are used in quantity (from Amazon). Stripping is a skill requiring lots of fine line tape, painters masking tape, masking paper, a good eye and loads of patience.
I’m just starting a RV15 (#6 kit) and will paint it. I also plan on using Anna’s and my trademark colors of lime green and light blue on white with a new scheme. An inflatable paint booth should help with the wind, temperature and debris problems.
Scott Chastain Update
N427EF
I am considering an installed, home brewed oxygen system in my RV-10. Any advice or experience you may have is much appreciated.
My plan is to install 4 flush oxygen outlets (Aerox) in my overhead console for a convenient plug in of their canulas, no questions here.
A one to four oxygen hose (splitting to each outlet), leading from a bottle mounted in the baggage compartment. This would be a D size bottle
with manual open and close valve along with a blue tooth sensor and app, also from Aerox. This would allow for phone monitoring up front in the cockpit of pressure and quantity of O2.
It would require turning on the O2 valve before a flight as you cannot reach the bottle from the pilot or copilots seat. I do not want the expensive solenoid on and off switch for O2. Most of my flying is not done at oxygen levels however, on my recent trip to OSH, I found the use of oxygen quite handy. Pretty straight forward so far.
Here is where I am conflicted. Having dealt with refill costs and being an experimenter, I have come across medical O2 equipment and bottles at a much cheaper price and convenience.
I have acquired an Invacare oxygen generator along with a refill compressor plus 2 D bottles and a large refill tank all for the paltry sum of $350.
The medical O2 bottles use a CGA-870 style regulator and are not interchangeable with Aerox style fittings.
The big question: Is there any good reason not to use one of those bottles instead of the Aerox Bottle? I can fill the medical bottle with Invacares trouble free set up. They too are made of lightweight aluminum and seem to be of the same quality and pressure ratings as aviation DOT bottles.
Their regulator is a bit bulkier but delivers 25LPM enough to supply 4 people all at once.
I do own an oxy/acetylen bottle but a cascading refill system would require a second bottle, now going for the price of about $400 plus cascade and transfill hoses.
Maybe someone has a better idea?
RE Flap Switch on Throttle …fl-mike
Just a couple automotive mini-relays.
RE Removable stick connector …mack55 RV-7
I used a dsub similar to Foghorn. Except mine is on a bracket that goes between the seat ribs. I’ll try to find a pic.
RE. Just to be sure... SB-000036 ….RossK
Follow the SB instructions, but as part of the build. The drawing I have shows the HS-716A but the instructions refer to the HS-715E, so I just follwed the SB instructions with reference to the plans drawings.
You sort of take in all the information and then apply what's relevant to the parts you have - the fun of building kit aircraft.
nickw9815
My friend’s O-360 engine on an RV-6 quit while idling after sitting on the taxiway for 25 minutes. They were given hold short instructions on a hot day and had to idle at 900 RPM for the entire wait. The engine began to sputter, so they added a little power, which reduced the sputter but caused CHTs to climb to 420°F. They then reduced power, and the sputter returned. When cleared to taxi, the engine ran fine with more power, but when they pulled power to hold short again, it quit.
They suspect the carb was heat soaked after extended idling. Any other ideas on what may have caused this?
hangar7racing
avbrief.org
RE Control Column …14
Thanks for all the input. Lots of good suggestions. However, I'm still inclined to cut an opening in the skin. Especially after I laid it out and realized that it would be much smaller than I originally thought. 1.45" X 3.5" would allow the end to come out far enough to work on the problem end. 1.45" X 4.33" would allow full removal so I could get it a vise. This doesn't seem like a big deal to me. But I'm an amateur. I could easily rivet a patch and move on. Help me understand why this may be a bad idea.
It's unfortunate that Van's engineering is too busy to even talk to their builder support team. Their doors are locked. Especially since this problem is due to a defective part. Builder support has been trying to help but that only goes so far and they won't ok what I want to do.
Please keep the comments coming.
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Older issues of the ‘VAF News’ can be found at:
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V/r,dr
Another extended weekend trip Update
…SuperCubDriver
Meanwhile I made it to Wick/Scotland. Greenland was breathtaking as ever. Easy approach into Narsarsuaq and the weather looked good for the next two days. I thought about two options: Flying directly to Reykjavik or stop in Kulusuk. Because I like it in Kulusuk but ever since I flew over Bluie East 2 back in 2022 I was thinking about landing there. I got an ok and weather looked good but a hotel room was only available for one night. Ok, still doable but the weather must cooperate which actually did. No fog next morning, clear and calm. So flew over to this old airbase, looped, rolled and checked the runway from above. A low and slow flyover next, saw rough gravel with a few rocks but nothing too bad. Decided to do a touch and go first with partial flaps and a little power - easy it was. Next pattern will be with a landing. No problem but taxiing required quite some power, the soil below the gravel was a little soft and so the wheels dragged while taxiing. I do have larger tires than standard but with the regular ones it shouldn´t be a problem either. Of course there might always be a spot softer or with rocks so a little extra risk is involved.
Standing there and nothing is to hear, same like in Narsarsuaq or Kulusuk, no background noise, complete quieteness. Then there are this rusty leftovers from the war, lots of rusty fuel drums, a collapsed hangar, trucks and other equipment. If anyone is looking for original spare parts like oil pans or drive shafts for their toys it can be found here. I walked around and enjoyed the scenery and was in contact with Kulusuk tower via my satellite tracker texting all is ok. When I returned to Kulusuk turnaround was less than an hour. Refueled, filed a flight plan to Reykjavik and airborne again. Nice weather there in the evening, cloudy this morning. I made the last ocean crossing and landed in Wick this afternoon. The forecast was not that good and I was looking into options. Each airport required PPR, handling, advance notice and whatnot - annoying. Filed to Wick anyway with alternates. The FBO there - Far North Aviation - is outstanding, they are holding what others are only promising.
Another extended weekend trip
The school was on the way, not the slightest detour. A wildfire developed northwest of the school, large cloud, could smell it. The fog at LAX and Torrance disappeared so could fly as planned. Torrance temps at 23C, very nice after having 33C at Buchanan. Over LAX
vansairforce.net
RE Ball-park estimate for paint job? …diene
I have painted all 4 of my homebuilts. I generally agree that a good paint job is a big, very detailed job requiring good professional tools and deals with dangerous expensive chemicals.
I started with the BD4 in 1980 in Imron followed the One Design and RV8 in DuPont and recently, the RV12 in Akzo Nobel. I used a Sata spray gun and an 80 gal compressor. I painted outdoors on good weather days, generally in the morning. Following the paint manufacturer’s recommendations is critical for good results and longevity.
The supporting materials are important and are used in quantity (from Amazon). Stripping is a skill requiring lots of fine line tape, painters masking tape, masking paper, a good eye and loads of patience.
I’m just starting a RV15 (#6 kit) and will paint it. I also plan on using Anna’s and my trademark colors of lime green and light blue on white with a new scheme. An inflatable paint booth should help with the wind, temperature and debris problems.
Ball-park estimate for paint job?
I paint $11K for this repaint 2 years ago. Can you share who painted it?
vansairforce.net
Scott Chastain Update
Meditations on a Grounded RV
I. Teardown What does it mean to savor the fast, fleeting, and final hours on the tach before the engine goes idle and the last puffs of burnt fuel begin to fizzle into a wide and far-reaching silence? What sense does one have of eternity when, with a single glimpse, there is captured high...
vansairforce.net
N427EF
I am considering an installed, home brewed oxygen system in my RV-10. Any advice or experience you may have is much appreciated.
My plan is to install 4 flush oxygen outlets (Aerox) in my overhead console for a convenient plug in of their canulas, no questions here.
A one to four oxygen hose (splitting to each outlet), leading from a bottle mounted in the baggage compartment. This would be a D size bottle
with manual open and close valve along with a blue tooth sensor and app, also from Aerox. This would allow for phone monitoring up front in the cockpit of pressure and quantity of O2.
It would require turning on the O2 valve before a flight as you cannot reach the bottle from the pilot or copilots seat. I do not want the expensive solenoid on and off switch for O2. Most of my flying is not done at oxygen levels however, on my recent trip to OSH, I found the use of oxygen quite handy. Pretty straight forward so far.
Here is where I am conflicted. Having dealt with refill costs and being an experimenter, I have come across medical O2 equipment and bottles at a much cheaper price and convenience.
I have acquired an Invacare oxygen generator along with a refill compressor plus 2 D bottles and a large refill tank all for the paltry sum of $350.
The medical O2 bottles use a CGA-870 style regulator and are not interchangeable with Aerox style fittings.
The big question: Is there any good reason not to use one of those bottles instead of the Aerox Bottle? I can fill the medical bottle with Invacares trouble free set up. They too are made of lightweight aluminum and seem to be of the same quality and pressure ratings as aviation DOT bottles.
Their regulator is a bit bulkier but delivers 25LPM enough to supply 4 people all at once.
I do own an oxy/acetylen bottle but a cascading refill system would require a second bottle, now going for the price of about $400 plus cascade and transfill hoses.
Maybe someone has a better idea?
Home Brewed Oxygen System
I am considering an installed, home brewed oxygen system in my RV-10. Any advice or experience you may have is much appreciated. My plan is to install 4 flush oxygen outlets (Aerox) in my overhead console for a convenient plug in of their canulas, no questions here. A one to four oxygen hose...
vansairforce.net
RE Flap Switch on Throttle …fl-mike
Just a couple automotive mini-relays.
Flap switch on throttle
I am planning to put a flap switch on the throttle of the "Brand S" that I am building. Why you ask? Because it has electric flaps and there is no provision for a Johnson Bar. The ability to vary the amount of flaps going up or down is available without reaching for a panel mounted switch. I...
vansairforce.net
RE Removable stick connector …mack55 RV-7
I used a dsub similar to Foghorn. Except mine is on a bracket that goes between the seat ribs. I’ll try to find a pic.
Removable stick connector
What connector can be used to make the passenger stick easier to remove? I have Tosten grips so 10 pins plus ground. Not much room in the stick but I really don't want to fight with terminating wires.
vansairforce.net
RE. Just to be sure... SB-000036 ….RossK
Follow the SB instructions, but as part of the build. The drawing I have shows the HS-716A but the instructions refer to the HS-715E, so I just follwed the SB instructions with reference to the plans drawings.
You sort of take in all the information and then apply what's relevant to the parts you have - the fun of building kit aircraft.
Just to be sure... SB-000036
Hi, Folks! I think I know what to do, but just wanted to be 100%. I ordered the SB-000036-KIT a while back and I was going to install it, but I thought I'd use the latest version of the plans instead of the SB documentation. I noticed DWG 3 seemed to be updated to include the SB pieces so I...
vansairforce.net
nickw9815
My friend’s O-360 engine on an RV-6 quit while idling after sitting on the taxiway for 25 minutes. They were given hold short instructions on a hot day and had to idle at 900 RPM for the entire wait. The engine began to sputter, so they added a little power, which reduced the sputter but caused CHTs to climb to 420°F. They then reduced power, and the sputter returned. When cleared to taxi, the engine ran fine with more power, but when they pulled power to hold short again, it quit.
They suspect the carb was heat soaked after extended idling. Any other ideas on what may have caused this?
O-360 Engine Quit After Extended Idling on Hot Day
My friend’s O-360 engine on an RV-6 quit while idling after sitting on the taxiway for 25 minutes. They were given hold short instructions on a hot day and had to idle at 900 RPM for the entire wait. The engine began to sputter, so they added a little power, which reduced the sputter but caused...
vansairforce.net
hangar7racing
Circuit breaker panel
Who has used the cascading circuit breaker panel? How did you mount it?
vansairforce.net
Van's RV-12iS: Subtle Changes, MOSAIC Ready - AvBrief.com
Improvements to the 2026 Van's RV-12iS trainer steps it up to a higher level.
avbrief.org
RE Control Column …14
Thanks for all the input. Lots of good suggestions. However, I'm still inclined to cut an opening in the skin. Especially after I laid it out and realized that it would be much smaller than I originally thought. 1.45" X 3.5" would allow the end to come out far enough to work on the problem end. 1.45" X 4.33" would allow full removal so I could get it a vise. This doesn't seem like a big deal to me. But I'm an amateur. I could easily rivet a patch and move on. Help me understand why this may be a bad idea.
It's unfortunate that Van's engineering is too busy to even talk to their builder support team. Their doors are locked. Especially since this problem is due to a defective part. Builder support has been trying to help but that only goes so far and they won't ok what I want to do.
Please keep the comments coming.
Control Column
Hello, Today I was testing the fit of the Control Stick Bases to the Control Column and found a problem. The first indication was a difference in the distance between the right and left VA-146 bearings of .020”. Too much to account for powder coat roughness. Then I inserted an AN4-37A and...
vansairforce.net
OFF TOPIC:
Please consider donating yearly to help keep this American 1-person pirate ship afloat:
Get your VansAirForce.net Charity Cap!
VAF Charity Cap: Help your charity and promote this site.
Get the cap all the cool kids are wearing! I don’t get a penny. It’s around $15. $5 more if you want your N-number on the back (I put 'STAFF' on the back of mine because it makes me laugh. Put STAFF on yours too if it makes you smile). And down the road $10 to the charity of your choice...
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Older issues of the ‘VAF News’ can be found at:
Doug's Area ...The VAF News, About VAF, My Resume
Pushed out every now and then.
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THE VAF LIST (a list of RV-related lists)
THE VAF LIST (a list of RV-related lists)
The VAF List ...a list of RV-related lists. RV-related things you might want to browse over (a closed post that is sticky and maintained by dr). Link to this in 'Links' in the menu. v/r,dr Small businesses that help bring you this list of RV-related lists: 360 Avionics www.360Avionics.com Ace...
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